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Ottumwa Man Facing Drug Charges After Arrest Near Pella

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A passenger in a vehicle stopped by the Pella Police Department early Tuesday morning faces multiple drug charges following his arrest. 27-year-old Joseph Diaz of Ottumwa was riding in a vehicle that was stopped on the east edge of Pella on Highway 163 for speeding.

While stopped, an officer detected marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle, which yielded a total of 71 grams – or roughly 2.5 ounces – of marijuana. Diaz is charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

During the traffic stop, Diaz attempted to ingest a small amount of marijuana, which was also detected by the officer conducting the stop and resulted in an additional charge of Obstruction of Justice. He also a fifth charge for Violation of a No-Contact Order, and was transported to the Marion County Jail to appear in court.

The driver of the vehicle was also arrested on a charge of Driving While Suspended.